Northern Ireland

Bangladeshi family's home attacked in north Belfast

The Rahman family's home on the York Road was targeted in a brick attack. Picture by Matt Mackey/Presseye
The Rahman family's home on the York Road was targeted in a brick attack. Picture by Matt Mackey/Presseye The Rahman family's home on the York Road was targeted in a brick attack. Picture by Matt Mackey/Presseye

A WOMAN and a child have escaped injury after a brick was thrown at the front window of their north Belfast home in what is being treated as a racist attack.

Police said a number of youths were involved in the attack at the house on York Road, which happened at around 10.20pm on Thursday.

It is understood that the Rahman family are originally from Bangladesh.

It is the latest racist attack in the city, after a Belgian man suffered head and arm injuries when a brick was thrown through the front window of his house in east Belfast earlier this week.

Part of the window of the house was boarded up, while there were also egg stains on a section of the glass.

Belfast Lord Mayor and Alliance councillor Nuala McAllister said the community "must stand together" and "refuse to allow this type of behaviour to become the norm".

"This sort of behaviour is not representative of the majority in North Belfast, who want to see their community remain open, welcoming and inclusive.

"I wholeheartedly condemn those behind this attack, who put the lives of a woman and her young child at risk with their attempts at intimidation."

DUP councillor Guy Spence tweeted: "I fully condemn this incident. It is totally unacceptable in our community."

PSNI Inspector Fairfield said: "Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected."

The attack on the Belgian man in east Belfast came less than two weeks after cars were burned out on the same street - Wayland Street - forcing a mixed race family to move.

A fortnight ago a Syrian family living in the Beechmount area of west Belfast pleaded to be left in peace after a spate of racist attacks.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact officers on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.